New OR nurse... how can I get through this?

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 7, 2019

First of all, please know that OR nursing comes with an incredibly steep learning curve- this is an area you likely got very little (if any) exposure to during nursing school. Generally speaking, it's going to take you at least a year to feel comfortable, possibly even longer. What you are feeling is perfectly normal, and it's probably not a feeling that's going to go away tomorrow or next week or even next month.

Not that I'm biased or anything, but here's a few threads to check out:

msesay91, BSN · Feb 7, 2019

Checking them out now.. I've come to terms that it may take me 2+ years to become somewhat comfortable... ? Thanks so much for the reply!! ?

Windyhill, BSN · Feb 16, 2019

Read the latest book by Berry and Kohn’s. That way if someone tries to trick you or bully you, you will know if it is right or wrong. Get your CNOR as soon as possible too.

FurBabyMom, MSN, RN · Feb 23, 2019

On 2/16/2019 at 2:22 PM, Windyhill said:
Read the latest book by Berry and Kohn’s. That way if someone tries to trick you or bully you, you will know if it is right or wrong. Get your CNOR as soon as possible too.

I would argue that if you're buying an OR textbook you should "splurge" and spend the money for Alexander's. Berry and Kohn isn't bad but Alexander's is considerably better. MUCH more detail about far more specialty procedures and rationales are better explained.

I would think we can all - one the surface - agree that bullying and tricking our coworkers is wrong. Not that it's not endemic to nursing and perhaps going to be harder to get out of the OR than from floors and ICUs... This goes back to being a good coworker and management being involved.

Regarding CNOR - it is an expense and some people have test anxiety. I won't say I found it easy, but I won't say that it was impossible. While I am extremely pro certification, I think that this is an individual choice you have to make for yourself.

astralseed · Apr 16, 2019

On 2/16/2019 at 1:22 PM, Windyhill said:
Read the latest book by Berry and Kohn’s. That way if someone tries to trick you or bully you, you will know if it is right or wrong. Get your CNOR as soon as possible too.

Is there a jump in pay raise once you get your CNOR? Just wondering, I been an OR nurse now for almost 3 years and I been looking into it.

Editorial Team / Admin · Apr 16, 2019

On 2/16/2019 at 2:22 PM, Windyhill said:
Read the latest book by Berry and Kohn’s. That way if someone tries to trick you or bully you, you will know if it is right or wrong. Get your CNOR as soon as possible too.

Alexander's is considered the "bible" if you will of OR nursing. If OP is going to spend money out of their pocket, it would be best to go for it instead. Additionally, it is possible that OP's orientation includes PON101 and access to Alexander's. We provide the textbooks at my facility- if that's the case for OP, it would be best not to flush money down the toilet.

As for the bullying comment, I saw nothing in OP's post about bullying, only about being overwhelmed. First, let's not add info in where it doesn't exist, and second, let's not give people a reason to go looking for bullying because they will find it, even if it doesn't truly exist.

Editorial Team / Admin · Apr 16, 2019

6 hours ago, astralseed said:
Is there a jump in pay raise once you get your CNOR? Just wondering, I been an OR nurse now for almost 3 years and I been looking into it.

100% facility dependent. Some may offer a differential, some may offer nothing at all, some may make it a part of a larger incentive. My facility grants access to the highest level of the clinical ladder for holding both a BSN and a certification.

ORoxyO · Apr 17, 2019

I have never gotten anything extra for being certified. Some places pay for the exam, some don't.